Our top Lollapalooza picks

TOC’s music critics share what bands they’re most excited to see.

Brent’s picksWith a gajillion bands crammed into three days and spread across eight stages, there are always tough decisions to make. I get that. But, Lolla, did you have to pit two of my favorites, Little Dragon and the Walkmen, head-to-head? And what’s up with slotting Santigold against Frank Ocean? Then, of course, there is the climactic clusterfuck of Justice, Jack White and Childish Gambino—three disparate spectacles—closing out the fest. Looks like I’ll be wearing running shoes and catching fractions of sets.

Josh’s picksLolla’s dance beats could barely be contained within the confines of Perry’s stage last year, and things are no different this weekend with Bassnectar, Calvin Harris and Kaskade assuring utter mayhem under the big top. All you neon-clad fresh faces don’t even need to budge from the stage, what with dubstep originators Skream & Benga, M.I.A. successor Santigold and bass-music newcomer Paper Diamond on the bill.

Areif’s picksI’ll admit it, I’m a sucker for anything soulful at Lolla. There’s just something about submitting to rhythms while soaking up rays. My must-see of 2012 is Frank Ocean; the sunny, horn-splashed grooves of “Sweet Life” have been stuck in my head since his mega-hyped channel ORANGE dropped last month. Hearing him cruise through it live is the only cure.